What Lifeguards Can Do To Stay Protected From Sun Damage
As a lifeguard, being in the sun is inevitable… unless you work exclusively at an indoor pool. Chances are, you’re out and about in the beating sun, which has its perks but can put you at a higher risk for sun damage. As the weather heats up, follow this guide to stay shielded from the sun when you’re working outside.
1. Wear sunscreen with a high SPF
This one’s probably a no-brainer. Sunscreen is a tried-and-true way to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. As you probably know, the higher the SPF, the higher the protection. Sunscreen isn’t a one-time application. You need to re-apply it throughout the day to maintain protection from the sun.
2. Use an umbrella
Some beaches and pools supply their lifeguard staff with an umbrella. If that sounds like your facility, hooray! If not, talk to your manager about investing in lifeguard umbrellas for the facility. It’ll keep you out of the sun and it’ll cool you off throughout the day. Win-win!
3. Try using zinc
An even more potent form of sunscreen is pure zinc oxide. You may see some beach-goers with a big triangle of white paste on their noses… that’s zinc! If you’re especially sensitive to the sun, you may want to try applying zinc in addition to your sunscreen.
4. Stay covered
Two-pieces are great for shorter beach days, but a long day of lifeguarding in the full sun may call for a little more outfit coverage. Try out a lightweight rashguard or a lifeguard jacket to keep your skin hidden from the sun.
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